IFARreports

Volume 6, No. 8/9

Bill would make New York museums immune to recovery suits by theft victims three years after acquisition of work. It would establish a new standard of legal ownership of stolen art exclusively for museums and nonprofits. IFAR recommends, as seen in a California statute, a 3-year statute of limitations begin to run when a theft victim discovers the location of the stolen art work

Excessive Restoration of a Bierstadt Precludes an Attribution

— Virgilia H. Pancoast

Repainting of large area of oil sketch makes experts skeptical of attribution.

Art Dealer Claire Eatz Convicted of Fraud and Sentenced

— Lynn Stowell Pearson

Details of the court case against Claire Eatz.

Update on U.S. Cultural Property Act: Canada Asks U.S. for Curb on Imports

— Lynn Stowell Pearson

Canada is the first nation to request import restrictions on endangered Canadian artifacts under the 1983 Act that implemented the 1970 UNESCO Convention. If the request is approved, archaeological and ethnological artifacts would be protected.

IFAR Advisory Council Profile

— Virgilia H. Pancoast

Arthur Beale, of Harvard University Art Museums.

Magritte Certificates Being Forged

Warning from David Sylvester, author of forthcoming Magritte catalogue raisonné, of forged authenticity statements said to be by Sylvester.

Interpol's Twelve Most Wanted List

List

Settlement in Sotheby's Judaica Suit

Suit brought by New York State against Sotheby’s was settled out of court in August 1985. The auctioned Hebrew books and manuscripts from the Berlin Hochschule library are to be recalled and buyers reimbursed. Sotheby’s admits to no wrongdoing and will waive all commissions received.

WW II Confiscated Art: Austria Sets Up System for Return

Austria creates a list of works confiscated by Nazis and now held by Austrian government, as well as steps to be taken by rightful owners for their works to be returned.

Owner Reports Art Missing from WW II

New Jersey collector seeks a Ter Borch painting, Doctor’s Visit to a Home, and a Corot painting, Landscape, last seen in family home in France.

Pre Columbian Theft in Mexico

140 objects from National Museum of Anthropology and History in Mexico City. Extremely low security reported.